The Final Moment - "Ant Kaal" (ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ)

Recently my friend shared the story of her cousin's grandmother. She was very ill and was in semi-coma. She could not talk or communicate with anyone. However, through out her coma state she continued to repeat Gurbaani.

Bibi jee kept moving her lips and repeating Gurbaani, yet she could not communicate or speak to others. Her continuous non-stop repeating of Gurbaani led her mouth and lips to become very dry, making it hard for her to open her mouth. The nurses would continuously water her lips and mouth to prevent them to become dried up. Dhan Guru, Dhan Guru Ke Piaare.

Someone is lying on their death bed and they are in semi-coma. However, the only thought, the only consciousness and words on their mouth is Gurbaani and Simran. Waheguru! How amazing. It makes you think how one gets to this state.

My friend told me that her cousin's grandmother was a simple and pious Gurmukh (Guru-orientated person). Everyday without fail Bibi jee would go to the Gurdwara and do Sukhmani Sahib da paath. Bibi jee would always be attuned to Gurbaani and didn't indulge in useless worldly talk like gossiping or slander. Hence, when she got to her death bed she was also repeating and attuned to Gurbaani. How fortunate are such Gurmukhs who die such a death remembering their Beloved Waheguru.

Gurbani says:

ਗੂਜਰੀ ॥
goojree.
Raag Goojaree (Common theme: prayer (ਪੂਜਾ); Feelings communicated: Satisfaction/ softness of heart/ sadness).

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਲਛਮੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo lachhmee simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of wealth, and dies in such thoughts,

ਸਰਪ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੧॥
sarap jon val val autarai. 1
shall be reincarnated over and over again, in the form of snakes. 1

ਅਰੀ ਬਾਈ ਗੋਬਿਦ ਨਾਮੁ ਮਤਿ ਬੀਸਰੈ ॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
aree baa-ee gobind naam mat beesrai. rahaa-o.
O sister, do not forget the Name of Waheguru, the Lord of the Universe. Pause

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਇਸਤ੍ਰੀ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo istree simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, he who thinks of women, and dies in such thoughts,

ਬੇਸਵਾ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੨॥
besvaa jon val val autarai. 2
shall be reincarnated over and over again as a prostitute. 2

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਲੜਿਕੇ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo laRike simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of his children, and dies in such thoughts,

ਸੂਕਰ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੩॥
sookar jon val val autarai. 3shall be reincarnated over and over again as a pig. 3

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਜੋ ਮੰਦਰ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal jo mandar simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of mansions, and dies in such thoughts,

ਪ੍ਰੇਤ ਜੋਨਿ ਵਲਿ ਵਲਿ ਅਉਤਰੈ ॥੪॥
pret jon val val autarai. 4shall be reincarnated over and over again as a spirit/ghost. 4

ਅੰਤਿ ਕਾਲਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਸਿਮਰੈ ਐਸੀ ਚਿੰਤਾ ਮਹਿ ਜੇ ਮਰੈ ॥
ant kaal naaraa-iN simrai, aisee chintaa mehi je marai.
At the very last moment, one who thinks of the Lord Waheguru, and dies in such thoughts,

ਬਦਤਿ ਤਿਲੋਚਨੁ ਤੇ ਨਰ ਮੁਕਤਾ ਪੀਤੰਬਰੁ ਵਾ ਕੇ ਰਿਦੈ ਬਸੈ ॥੫॥੨॥
badat tilochan te nar muktaa, peetambar vaa ke ridai basai. 52
says Trilochan, that man shall be liberated; the Lord Waheguru shall abide in his heart. 52
(Ang 526)

GurbaaNee (the Divine Word of God) tells us that one's thought-condition at the time of death determines one's next field of experience. For this reason, one's mentality or state of being at the last moment when leaving one's body, is very important.

Depending on a person's mind-set at the time of death, two things can happen:
(1) Either the old mentality (memories) will supply the energy for A NEW MATERIAL BODY at an appropriate time and place,
(2) Or it will link back to its ORIGINAL SOURCE (the Supreme Soul (ਪਰਮਾਤਮਾ), Waheguru).

Guru Arjan Dev jee says on ang 242 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee:

ਜਿਤੁ ਲਾਗੋ ਮਨੁ ਬਾਸਨਾ ਅੰਤਿ ਸਾਈ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਨੀ ॥੬॥
jit laago man baasnaa ant saa-ee pargattaanee. 6That desire, to which the mind is attached, at the last moment, becomes manifest. 6

Bhagat Kabeer jee says on ang 327 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee:

ਪਿੰਡਿ ਮੂਐ ਜੀਉ ਕਿਹ ਘਰਿ ਜਾਤਾ ॥
pind moo-ai jee-o kih ghar jaataa.When the body dies, where does the soul go?
ਸਬਦਿ ਅਤੀਤਿ ਅਨਾਹਦਿ ਰਾਤਾ ॥
shabad ateet anaahad raataa.It is absorbed into the untouched, unstruck melody of the Word of the Shabad.

So does this mean that it doesn't matter whether I do Simran, Sewa or read and reflect on Gurbaani in my life because I can just say "Waheguru" when I am about to die, then sorted! I will become ONE with Waheguru? How can an alien thought enter the mind at such a time as death? Only those thoughts will enter which you in your sub-consciousness. So, if one has not attuned to themselves to Naam and Gurbaani while alive, it is very UNLIKELY that they will be attuned to Naam & Gurbaani when about to die.

Whatever we think at the time of death depends on WHAT WE PRACTICED THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE. In other words, whatever we practice in our entire life will determine our consciousness at the time of death. For example, if one cultivated "God-Consciousness" throughout their life, they will obviously die in such Pure Consciousness, resulting in liberation (ਮੁਕਤੀ) here and hereafter.

On the other hand, if one has cultivated the mental state of a fruitive worker or sense-enjoyment throughout their life, they will naturally die in material-consciousness (body-consciousness). Such conditioned consciousness results in supplying energy for a new body to work out the consequences of stored thinking and actions. For this reason we are told by Guru jee to a householder life BALANCED with spirituality, avoiding being OBSESSED with work, family, desires etc, through which one's consciousness and mind is IMPRISONED and entangled in over attachment.

Even though Gurmukhs (Guru-orientated persons) and Manmukhs (self-willed persons) both die, BUT the Gurmukh dies in UNCONDITIONED CONSCIOUSNESS and goes back to Waheguru, on the other hand the Manmukh dies in MATERIAL CONSCIOUSNESS and falls down again into the evolutionary cycle of reincarnation. Accordingly, just as the air carries fragrance of a flower or incense, so a person's mental state at the time of death will carry his bundle of memories to the next dwelling.

ਪੁੰਨੀ ਪਾਪੀ ਆਖਣੁ ਨਾਹਿ ॥
punnee paapee aakhaN naahi.Virtue and vice do not come by mere words;
ਕਰਿ ਕਰਿ ਕਰਣਾ ਲਿਖਿ ਲੈ ਜਾਹੁ ॥
kar kar karNaa likh lai jaahu.actions repeated, over and over again, are engraved on the soul.
ਆਪੇ ਬੀਜਿ ਆਪੇ ਹੀ ਖਾਹੁ ॥
aape beej aape hee khaahu.You shall harvest what you plant.
ਨਾਨਕ ਹੁਕਮੀ ਆਵਹੁ ਜਾਹੁ ॥੨੦॥
naanak hukmee aavhu jaahu. 20O Nanak! By the Hukam of God's Command, we come and go in reincarnation. 20(Ang 4)

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Archive: Episodes from India Travels

Passages from my diary of my trip to India June-August 2003:

"Meeting the Atheist" - Airline Journey

• Episode 1 (Part 1)
• Episode 1 (Part 2)
• Episode 1 (Part 3)

"Guru Ka Langar?" - Attending Akhand Paath Bhog

• Episode 2

"Amrit is Only with Grace of the Guru" - Travelling to Amritsar

• Episode 3

"Amrit Peeaa Satgur Deeaa" - Recieving the Gift of Amrit

• Episode 4
  

"Celebrating Gurpurb" - Jalandhar Gurdwara

• Episode 5
  

"Funeral Akhand Paath Da Bhog" - Manmat Practices

• Episode 6
  

"As if Guru Jee will do anything..." - Granthi Singh shares a True Story

• Episode 7
  

"Trip to Hazoor Sahib" - Visiting Sri Hazoor Sahib & the Local Gurdwaras

• Episode 8 (Part 1)
• Episode 8 (Part 2)
• Episode 8 (Part 3)
• Episode 8 (Part 4)
• Episode 8 (Final Part)
  

"Stay at Sri Damdama Sahib" - Incidents and events from Sri Damdama Sahib

• Episode 9 (Part 1) - Arriving at Sri Damdama Sahib
• Episode 9 (Part 2) - Choking on an Ahloo Tikki
• Episode 9 (Part 3) - "Khalsa Sweet Centre"
• Episode 9 (Part 4) - Getting Ready To Leave
• Episode 9 (Part 5) - Bus Journey
  

Episode of 8 of India Travels (Part 4): Money, Money, Money

The only DODGEY thing that I experienced during the visit of seeing all the various local Gurdwara Sahibs was at one particular - Gurdwara Sahib (which I won’t bother to mention!). Sat Naam, Waheguru! We did Matha Tekh and did Parkarmaa (circumbulation) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee. As I did Parkarma, the Gurdwara Sewadaar (who is meant to give a short talk about the history of the Gurdwara) asked me "Where are you from?" I said, "England". Then our entire group sat down to listen to the Sewadaar explain the history of the Gurdwara.

The Bhai Sahib explained the history of the Gurdwara very quickly and then he requested for donations to help with Kaar Sewa (the building and renovation of the Gurdwara Sahibs). (We found out AFTERWARDS that all donations placed in the basket in front of the Sewadaar goes to the Sewadaar. All donations placed in the Golak (money box in front of Guru jee) goes towards Sewa of the Gurdwara.)

The Sangat gave money to the Sewadaar and placed it in the basket placed on the table in front of him. I placed some money as well. Then we all got up to leave. As I got up, the Sewadaar called me over. "Come here... Also bring your mother." My mum and I went over to see the Sewadaar (who was still standing in the Darbar Sahib). Everyone else had walked outside to see the Sarowar (pool of water).

The Sewadaar said, "You have come from abroad, Guru jee has had Kirpaa (Grace) on you and blessed you with luxury houses and jobs, yet you have not given anything back." My mum and I were confused. What is he on about!

The Sewadaar took my mum and me on a guilt trip, saying that people in India are poor and implied that we are greedy or something. Rab Bhalla Kare. Chalo, so I put another 100 rupees in front of the Sewadaar (thinking that it was going to the Gurdwara!). The man said "Is this all? Waheguru has blessed you with so much and you only give this?"

The man started to sound AGGRESSIVE. Respecting him as a Gursikh (because he wore a white pagh and white chola) I thought "O dear me". My mum and I felt uncomfortable and PRESSURED with guilt tactics. I ended up emptying my wallet into the basket in front of the man. There were about 500 rupees, which we had brought to do Matha Tekh at the various Gurdwara Sahibs.

The man was still NOT SATISFIED. Waheguru! He stared at my mum's big bag she had with her and said, “Mata Jee show appreciation and make donations. Thank Guru Nanak that you live abroad." The bloke didn't realise my mum's "BIG BAG" was full of tissues, wet wipes, and a small towel (to wipe the face). lol. He thought my mum was carrying a "BIG BAG" of MONEY!

He said, "DO an AKHAND PAATH here!" I was shocked that he gave us a PRICE LIST of Akhand Paaths. He asked for 5,000 rupees to do an Akhand Paath. I said, "I am not doing an Akhand Paath. What is the point of paying you to read Paath on my behalf, when I will not be here to listen to the paath, nor will I able to contemplate on it? Instead I can read Gurbani myself!" He replied, "Don't worry I will POST you the Hukamnama". This is totally contrary to Gurmat. A Sikh should read, listen, and contemplate on Gurbaani THEMSELVES and not rely on others to read, listen and understand and expect to reap the reward! Its like someone is feeling hungry and instead I eat a big meal on their behalf thinking that it will satisfy the other man's hungry stomach!

I got fed up and saddened. I said, "Baba jee, don't take any offence but I have emptied my wallet now! I have no more money left to give you! Also, now I have no money left to do Matha Tekh at the other Gurdwaras." He now got ANGRY! He shouted, "TAKE IT, TAKE IT, TAKE IT ALL... Go on; take all the money from the basket." Waheguru, Waheguru. I was shocked! This was the first time I have seen greedy thugs dressed-up posing as Gursikhs in white chola and round white pagh. Deary me!

My mum and I told the Bhai Sahib, "Once a person has placed money in the Golak, how can they take it back. We don't want to take any money back. We are just saying that we have no more money to give you." (However, we were so gullible and ignorant that we didn't know that the money we gave actually goes to the "TOUR GUIDE" of the Gurdwara and not to the Gurdwara itself!). When we shared out story with our relatives. The surprising thing is that when they visited the same Gurdwara a year later they had the SAME EXPERIENCE. But instead they gave the man a piece of their mind and told him that he should be ashamed that he is asking for donations for the Gurdwara but allowing people mistakenly place the money in the basket in front of him instead of the Guru's Golak.

Chalo (O well!). I can say that was the ONLY dreadful experience I had in a Gurdwara. So it was a ONE OFF. It definitely made me realise that we should all respect Sewadaars and especially Gursikhs. However, at the same time be alert and aware of fraudsters and thugs dressed in BaaNaa (religious dress) posing as Gursikhs (like so-called self-proclaimed fake "Sants" and fake "Babas"), who are out there to rob people of their money. Rab Bhalla Kare.

Bhagat Kabeer jee mentions in his shabad on ang 476 of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee that even during his life time in Banaaras (a city in India which considered a religious centre for Hindus), fraudsters manipulated common people by dressing up as men of religion and then took people for a ride.

ਆਸਾ ॥
aasaa.
Aasaa:

ਗਜ ਸਾਢੇ ਤੈ ਤੈ ਧੋਤੀਆ ਤਿਹਰੇ ਪਾਇਨਿ ਤਗ ॥
gaj saadhe tai tai Dhotee-aa tihre paa-in tag.
They wear loin cloths, three and a half yards long, and triple-wound sacred threads (i.e. dressed as "men of religion").

ਗਲੀ ਜਿਨ੍ਹ੍ਹਾ ਜਪਮਾਲੀਆ ਲੋਟੇ ਹਥਿ ਨਿਬਗ ॥
galee jinHaa japmaalee-aa lotte hath nibag.
They have rosaries around their necks, and they carry glittering jugs in their hands.

ਓਇ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਸੰਤ ਨ ਆਖੀਅਹਿ ਬਾਨਾਰਸਿ ਕੇ ਠਗ ॥੧॥
ou-e har ke sant na aakhee-ahi baanaaras ke thag. 1
They are not called 'Saints' of the Lord - (in reality) they are thugs of Banaaras. 1

Instead, Bhagat Kabeer jee highlights that we should only take the support of Satguru, the True Guru, Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee, and be attached only to Waheguru.

ਜਿਤੁ ਕੋ ਲਾਇਆ ਤਿਤ ਹੀ ਲਾਗਾ ਤੈਸੇ ਕਰਮ ਕਮਾਵੈ ॥
jit ko laa-i-aa tit hee laagaa, taise karam kamaavai.
(What control does the person have?) One is attached to that, to which Waheguru has attached them to, and act accordingly.

ਕਹੁ ਕਬੀਰ ਜਿਸੁ ਸਤਿਗੁਰੁ ਭੇਟੈ ਪੁਨਰਪਿ ਜਨਮਿ ਨ ਆਵੈ ॥੪॥੨॥
kaho kabeer jis satgur bhettai, punrap janam na aavai. 42
O Kabeer! The truth is that one who meets the True Guru is not reincarnated again. 42

Bhul chuk maaf if daas has written anything wrong or offensive.


To be continued...

Travelling to Gravesend for Anand Kaaraj

Today I attended someone's wedding at Gravesend Gurdwara. Ravjeet Singh and I went from London Bridge to Gravesend. We got to London Bridge station about 9.40am and quickly bought our tickets because the train was leaving at 9.55am.

I looked at the board and it said "Platform 4" to Dartford and from there we had to get a bus to Gravesend (because Gravesend train station was closed). Chalo, so we went towards the train platforms. At the barriers I asked one of the ticket officers "Excuse me. Could you please tell me where platform 4 is?" He replied, "Yes. Where are you going." "Gravesend" I replied. Sat Naam. The bloke didn't bother to tell me where PLATFORM 4 is! Instead he goes, "Let me check what the quickest route is". I told him that I don't need to know the route; I have checked it on the Internet. I just wanted to know where PLATFORM 4 is. Waheguru!

The bloke started to look at his files and said "Erm... no direct trains to Gravesend... so let’s see you will have to take..." Rab Bhalla Kare! I KNEW THIS. I just wanted to know which direction PLATFORM 4 is. I said, "Leave it, its okay." He replied, "I can't tell you the platform without making sure it’s the right train for you." Just as I leave he says, "Yes, you have to get platform 4!" O deary me! How frustrating (because I already knew that)! I found out where platform 4 is by myself! lol.


We got off at Dartford train-station and got on the bus. Waheguru! The bus was pretty old looking. It felt like being on a bus in INDIA! It was a BUMPY ride because the bus was old. As we got near Gravesend train-station the bus driver stopped at the traffic lights and opened the doors. So everyone thought 'okay we can get out'. One lady gets out and then he closes the door and carries on driving. Then he reopens the door while in traffic, and closes it again. Either the door had technical difficulties or the driver couldn't make up his mind where to open and close the doors!

Most people had stood up as the driver was opening the door, and the train-station was near approaching. We stood near the front of the bus. The bus driver accelerated and suddenly pressed the brakes. As he did this I lost my balance and fell sideward’s on top of a lady sitting near the window. Sat Naam. She wasn't impressed at all. I grabbed hold of the seat handle, trying to make sure my body-weight doesn't collapse on the lady. But I was struggling. Next thing Ravjeet Singh is tugging on to my Hazooriaa making sure I get up and save the lady from being squashed! I just about got up and the lady was ANNOYED. She looked ANGRY. I said "Sorry" a few times. She said "Its Okay" but on her face I could see that she was upset with me. Waheguru!

Then suddenly an old lady behind me says "You should be ashamed of yourself." I looked back and saw an elderly Gori lady. I said, "Excuse me? Who me?" I hadn't done anything wrong. If she thought losing balance and nearly falling over someone was shameful then God help her. She said, "No, not you. Your friend." Waheguru! Ravjeet Singh looked around and looked confused at what the lady was going on about. I didn't know whether to laugh or not! It was hilarious but at same time the old lady was getting annoyed and loudly speaking to us.

The lady said to Ravjeet Singh, "I saw you push the lady. I saw you! You should be ashamed of yourself." "Who me?" said Ravjeet. "Yes, you! You pushed the lady. I bet you wouldn't have done that if it was one of your own lot. You wouldn't push your own sisters but its okay to push others." Sat Naam. Either this lady was old and confused, or she had some issues!

ਫਰੀਦਾ ਬੁਰੇ ਦਾ ਭਲਾ ਕਰਿ ਗੁਸਾ ਮਨਿ ਨ ਹਢਾਇ ॥

fareedaa bure daa bhalaa kar, gusaa man na hadhaa-e.
Fareed, answer evil with goodness; do not fill your mind with anger.

ਦੇਹੀ ਰੋਗੁ ਨ ਲਗਈ ਪਲੈ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਪਾਇ ॥੭੮॥

dehee rog na lage-ee, palai sabh kichh paa-e. 78
Your body shall not suffer from any disease, and you shall obtain everything. 78
(Ang 1381-82)

We looked blank, thinking "Who’s pushed who!" Waheguru Bhalla Kare! No-one got pushed and the lady in front was getting her baby's buggy out and so why would he want to push her. Instead we actually waited for the lady. Chalo, I suppose it added to the Drama Baajee of the day.


Then we were told to go LEFT from the train station and there would be a taxi stand. We planned to ask one of the Panjabi taxi drivers for directions to the Gurdwara. But there was NO taxi to be seen or taxi stand. We carried on walking and bumped into a Panjabi looking aunty. We stopped her and asked, "Aunty jee, can you help us to find the Gurdwara." I was shocked at her saying "What Adharmeeaa da Gurdwara or which one?" Adharmee literally means 'one without faith' but in India it is also used for "low-caste people".

ਸਾਧੂ ਕੀ ਜਉ ਲੇਹਿ ਓਟ ॥
saaDhoo kee jau lehi ott.
(O consciousness!) If you seek the Support of the Guru,

ਤੇਰੇ ਮਿਟਹਿ ਪਾਪ ਸਭ ਕੋਟਿ ਕੋਟਿ ॥
tere mitteh paap sabh kott kott.
millions upon millions of your sins shall be totally erased.

ਕਹਿ ਰਵਿਦਾਸ ਜੋ ਜਪੈ ਨਾਮੁ ॥
kehi ravidaas jo japai naam.
Says Ravidaas, one who chants Naam, the Name of Waheguru,

ਤਿਸੁ ਜਾਤਿ ਨ ਜਨਮੁ ਨ ਜੋਨਿ ਕਾਮੁ ॥੪॥੧॥
tis jaat na janam na jon kaam. 41
is not concerned with caste, (low) social class, birth and rebirth. 41
(Ang 1196)

It later on found out that the lady was referring to the "Ravidaas" Gurdwara in Gravesend. Its such a shame that caste-communities have made their "own" Gurdwaras" and labelled the Guru's House with their own names for example, "Ravidaas Gurdwara", "Ramgarhia Gurdwara", "Bhatra Gurdwara"...etc. Have we LOST THE PLOT? What about "GURU's" Gurdwara? Gurbani says that those who do Naam Simran and are linked to Naam are not concerned with caste, birth or these UNIMPORTANT labels. Perhaps this just shows that our Gurdwaras are NOT run by Gursikhs but Manmukhs who are NOT practising or living Sikhi yet become the representatives of Guru Nanak's House. Rab Bhalla Kare!


Chalo, the Aunty jee didn't have a clue anyway where the Gurdwara was because she said she had recently come from India. lol. Waheguru! So we walked on. Sat Naam! At last we find "Randhawa Newsagents". So I am about to walk in and a Singh uncle jee walks out (white trimmed beard and wearing a pagh). "Praise the Lord! Success!" I thought to myself. I asked uncle jee for directions. He had car keys in his hands. I thought he would look at us (wearing Kurta and Bana) and give us a lift to the Gurdwara considering he said it is not too far. But instead he said, "Walk down, go right, then 3rd left." Then he walked off.

We kept walking and found NO Sikh or Panjabi looking person to ask whether we are walking in the right direction. Eventually I faced the traffic coming up the road and spotted a Singh in a car. I waved at it and the Uncle jee stopped his car to the side. Waheguru had answered our Ardaas. The uncle jee was from London who had come for the wedding. He was also looking for the Gurdwara. He offered us a lift. So we sat down. Ravjeet Singh made a phone call to find out about directions and 'hey presto' the Gurdwara was just round the corner.


Eventful journey! :)

Episode 8 of India Travels (Part 3): Visitng Local Gurdwaras

Continued...

On day 16, Friday 11th July 2003, we visited the local Gurdwaras surrounding Sri Hazoor Sahib and the nearby areas. Baba Nidhaan Singh Gurdwara arranged the bus sewa. The Baba jee driving the mini-bus was CHARDIKALA! Sat Naam, Waheguru! He had a glow and smile of a Gursikh! The mini-bus was full. There were about 20 of us.

Throughout the WHOLE journey, Baba jee ensured everyone did Simran. "SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO.... SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO..." was sung all the time while on the bus. Though old, Baba jee continued Simran non-stop.

Some aunty jee's started to talk and Baba jee stopped Simran. He got everyone's attention and said "PAY ATTENTION Guru Pyaari'o! Look outside the window. You can see buffalo's, dogs, and cattle...." We all peered out of the window. Baba jee said, "Look carefully! You have been cow in your past life. You have been a dog in your past life. You have been trees and plants in your past life. Now you have been blessed with a human body. MAKE THE MOST OF IT..." There was pin drop silence in the mini-bus. "Don't waste your precious life. This is an opportunity to MEET Waheguru."



Waheguru! Soon as Baba jee said that everyone smiled in reverence to Akaal Purakh (Almighty God), everyone chanted "SAT NAAM, WAAHEGUROO" with love and sweetness. It was a beautiful journey with an amazing driver! Baba jee would stop Simran after every 10 or 15 minutes and give 2 minute talk on the importance of Simran and Gurbani. The journey was the best ever! Going to all the Gurdwaras and coming on the way back was SAFLAA (fruitful) with Simran, Sangat and Gurbani Vichaar.

We visited Gurdwaras Rattan Garh, Nanaksar, Nanak Puri, Mata Sahib Deva, Hira Ghat, Shikaar Ghat, Sangat Sahib and few others. Very nice Gurdwaras and a lot of pyaar (love) and shardaa (devotion) demonstrated by the local Sangat and sewadaars.

To be continued...

Episode 8 of India Travels (Part 2): Arriving at Sri Hazoor Sahib

Continued...

On Day 15th, we arrived at NandeR at 4.30pm. We caught the Gurdwara arranged bus to Baba Nidhan Singh Gurdwara Sahib. Arriving we booked a room and dropped our bags and luggage there. Waheguru! The room was spacious. Unfortunately we got an old room and the toilet was broken and not looking in a good shape. Sat Naam. Chalo, instead we used the public shower and public toilet, which was down the corridor. The sewadaars at Gurdwara Baba Nidhaan Singh were very helpful and had a lot of sewa-bhaav (sweet serving nature).

After settling in, we walked to Sachkhand Sri Hazoor Sahib to do Matha Tekh. I must say, Sri Hazoor Sahib had a very UNIQUE feel. Though many practices at Sri Hazoor Sahib are not in accordance to the Panthic Sikh Rehat Maryada (Sikh Code of Conduct) and there are many non-Sikh influences, but the atmosphere, vibrations and atmosphere there was a very AWE-INSPIRING.

We sat and listened to Sodar Rehraas Sahib. The Rehraas Sahib was beautifully read. Slow, steady and peaceful. Then during Ardaas, Singhs played the conch and blowed horns etc and the Nagara (war-drums) was drummed - it really felt like being in Guru Gobind Singh jee's Darbaar.
On the way back from the Darbaar Sahib we went to a juice bar and enjoyed some freshly squeezed juice (very tasty!). For some reason people in India love to put SALT in juice! Waheguru! I preferred to drink plain fresh juice. It's really refreshing to drink.


When we got back to Baba Nidhan Singh Gurdwara we ate Langar.


To be continued...

(Next part: Visiting the local Gurdwaras and chucked off the train by the conductor...)

Episode 8 of India Travels: Trip to Hazoor Sahib

On day 14 of the trip, 9th July 2003, my mum, taayee jee (aunt) and I went to Hazoor Sahib, which is where Sri Guru Gobind Singh jee left his physical body leaving Guruship solely in the hands of the Guru Granth & Guru Panth. Sri Hazoor Sahib (which is in Abachal Nagar, NandeR, Maharashtra) is one of the Five Takhats (thrones of authority) in the Sikh nation.

We boarded the 'Sachkhand Express' train from Jalandhar, which went directly to Hazoor Sahib in 27 hours (2 days), stopping on various stations on the way. The journey was "eventful"! We should have got FIRST CLASS seats but out of ignorance we got SECOND CLASS. Dear me! The seats were okay at first but after four or five hours, my backside was NUMB (despite the seats being soft). Sat Naam!


The food! Waheguru, Waheguru. We had brought Daal Sabjee and Roti from home (Rab Da Shukar). There was a waiter on the train who kept on coming to us and saying "CHINESE NOODLES". He was hillarious. Every 15 minutes he would come and ask "CHINESE NOODLES". I notice Indians are obsessed with NOODLES. I prefer to stick with good old Roti and Daal Sabjee. It was beautiful to see Gursikhs giving out Guru-Ka-Langar at Delhi and Gwalior train station. Click here to to read a nice article about how a non-Sikh came across these Gurdwara sewadaars distributing Langar on the trains.


At night time we lied down on the seats and went to sleep. At Amrit-vela we woke up and washed our faces and did Nitnem on the train. As we started Nitnem a police officer standing near by lighted up a cigarret and started to smoke. I didn't know where the smoke was coming from. Next thing I know, a Hindu man sitting near us gets up and goes up to the police officer and says, "Please stop smoking. You are standing near Sikhs. They are praying." The police officer immediately distinguished his cigarret and said "sorry" to us. It was very nice to see the Hindu gentleman be so courteous and respectful. Waheguru!


There were a lot of "DODGEY" people walking around on the train, from beggars to men dressed up as women clapping their hands up and down the train! Waheguru! Rab Rakha!


To be continued...

When I Was at College

Article which I came across on Panthic Weekly:
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When I was at college, I was just one of the guys. I drank, smoked, did drugs, played with the girls and I used to love it! I was trying to get the best looking girls and thinking I was the man. I would shave my head every Sunday with a razor and kept my goatee trim for Monday! I would also show off my tattoos to the girls and thought I was Tupac’s brother!

One day, when I was bunking off my lessons as usual at college, one of my mates had kept his Kes (hair) and wore a Dastar (turban). I went up to him, and said “Bruv, what are you doing? You ain’t gonna get the girls like that. Why have you kept your hair and beard?” You see I never had a clue about Sikhi. He said to me “Do you know your Guru?” I just looked at him with a blank face! He then asked me “Do you know your 10 Gurus in order” You know what I said? I shamefully said, “I know the first one! What’s his name again?”

My friend then said to me “Just find out about your Gurus and you will see.” That thought had kept going through my head, I didn’t know why, but it kept ringing in my ears, “Find out about your Gurus and you will see!” So I thought, why not? I know more about Islam and Christianity than my own faith. I went home and picked up a book about the 10 Gurus and couldn’t stop from reading it. I felt so at peace with Guru jee’s teachings I felt like crying with joy.

What I found in Guru jee’s teachings I could find nowhere else, in no other religion. Guru jee was pulling me closer and closer. Guru jee had taught his Sikhs to meditate on God’s Name “Waheguru”, so I thought “Why not and try it?". I went to a Simran (meditation) program, where people of my age engaged in reciting Waheguru’s name and I felt so at peace that I joined in and was touched with love. I could feel Guru jee’s pyaar (love). No other buzz I had felt was as good as this neither alcohol, drugs, nothing else! Nothing had beaten this buzz of, Waheguru’s name.


After that I just wanted to get closer to Guru jee, Guru Granth Sahib jee. I took that step and it was the best thing I had ever done. I wanted to know more and more. I was so in love. I read the inspiring stories of the Singhs and Singhnees. I read about the equality between man and woman in Sikhi. Believe! It’s just beautiful!


We just need to take that step towards Guru jee. My step was my friend who kept his Kes and reading simple stories of the Gurus. I took that one step and Guru jee took a thousand steps towards me, with open arms, that I might feel the love of Guru jee.

All I have to say to my brothers and sisters is just take one step towards your Guru; whether it be a book, a simran CD, or just reciting Waheguru with pure love, and you will see! You will see Guru jee taking a thousand steps towards you! Just take ten minutes of your busy schedule to learn about Sikhi. You are the future. You are the future Sikhs. We have to know about our roots. If we stop learning and caring about Sikhi then where will we be in twenty years time?
Guru jee loves you. He is our father.

Lets show our father appreciation, do Seva, do Simran, help your brothers and sisters, join in the Sikh society at college or uni, bring your mates along to Sikhi Week events and talks, and help at the Gurdwara.

If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me and I offer my humble apologies.

Waheguru jee Ka KhalsaWaheguru jee Kee Fateh

A Gursikh of the Panth

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Waheguru!

Dhan Bhagat Ravidaas jee!

Today is the Prakaash Diwas (birth day) of Bhagat Ravidaas jee. Lakh Lakh Vadhaayee to everyone on this day. Below is a short article on Bhagat Ravidaas jee:

Bhagat Ravidaas jee mahaaraaj, poet and Divine mystic, was born on 24th February 1378CE to Bhai Maan Daas jee and Mata Dhurbinia jee. They lived near the city of Varanasi. Bhagat jee was born in a so-called low-caste family of "Chamaars", whose profession was making leather and shoes. Gradually he started spending most of his time in the sangat (company) of saints and Sadhus and built himself a thatched hut wherein he received and entertained wandering holy people. Many stories became current about Bhagat jee's simplicity and holy nature.

According to general belief, he was a follower of Bhagat Swami Ramanand jee sahib. In spite of his so-called low caste, Bhagat Ravidaas jee rose to a position of great honour through a life of simplicity and piety. He never felt ashamed of his birth (into a so-called low caste) and fearlessly faced the Panddits (Hindu scholars), who were proud of their high caste. He told them that spiritual greatness is achieved through a loving devotion to Waheguru and the attainment of Waheguru's grace. Bhagat jee says in Gurbani:

ਨਾਗਰ ਜਨਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਬਿਖਿਆਤ ਚੰਮਾਰੰ ॥
naagar janaaN meree jaat bikhi-aat chamaaraN.
O people of the town, I am obviously a 'Chamaar', a shoe-maker.

ਰਿਦੈ ਰਾਮ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਗੁਨ ਸਾਰੰ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥
ridai raam gobind gun saaraN. 1. rahaa-o.
Within my mind, I contemplate the Pervading Waheguru and meditate on virtues of the world-Lord. Pause.
(Ang 1293)

In the course of his spiritual quest, he reached a stage when he discarded images and idols and turned to the worship of the One Supreme Being, Waheguru. He reached God-consciousness (Brahm-Gyaan) and experienced Waheguru. Through Bhagat jee Gurbani was revealed. Forty of Bhagat jee's shabads (hymns) have been incorporated in Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee by Guru Arjan Dev jee.

Bhagat Ravidaas jee travelled fairly widely and visited Rajastan, Gujrat, Andhdra Pradesh, Maharashtra besides a number of places in the northern India such as Prayab, Mathura, Brindavan Hardwar, Gurgaon and Multan. At most of these places, there are monuments honouring his memory. In his lifetime, he had thousands of followers, including members of high castes, among them being the Rajput princess called 'Mirabai'.

Bhagat Ravidaas jee acknowledged that Waheguru all-powerful and is all-pervading. According to Bhagat jee, the human soul is only a particle of the Divine; the difference between the two is like the difference between Gold and the ornament, the water and the wave:

ਤੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਮੋਹੀ ਤੋਹੀ ਅੰਤਰੁ ਕੈਸਾ ॥
tohee mohee, mohee tohee, antar kaisaa.
You are me, and I am You-what is the difference between us?

ਕਨਕ ਕਟਿਕ ਜਲ ਤਰੰਗ ਜੈਸਾ ॥੧॥
kanak katik, jal tarang jaisaa. 1.
We are like gold and the bracelet, or water and the waves. 1.
(Ang 93)

Message from Teachings:
Bhagat jee rejects distinctions between man and man on the basis of caste or creed, for, as he says, in the world beyond no such differentiations will be acknowledged. Bhagat Jee illustrates in Gurbani that the ultimate end of human life is to become enlightend to realise Waheguru, therefore, one should live life meditating and remembering Waheguru, giving up blind ritualism and blind faith.

Birth in a so-called "low caste" or having low social status is no hindrance in the way to spiritual development. The only condition required in having the experiencing Waheguru is freedom from duality (i.e. giving up the distinction of "I" and "You", and instead realising that "I" is an illusion and that really it is all Waheguru).

ਹਜੂਰੀਆ - The Significance of the Hazooria

I came across this article on Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog. It is very informative and helps explain the significance of the Hazooria (white material put around the neck). Daas wear's a Hazooria, especially when going to the Gurdwara, however a lot of times people have asked me "Why are you wearing that?"Sometimes people say "Erm... isn't that for Gyani's?" Also when doing sewa in the Gurdwara for example reading Gurbani or doing Chaur Sahib di sewa one has to wear a Hazooria, but some people don't know why we do this. The article below helps to explain the significance of the Hazooria:


Article from Bhaji Daljeet Singh's blog:

Hazooria; hazoor: Being ready; being in presence.

There have been many mahapurkh (spiritual elevated persons) who have worn a hazooria, most of us don't know the real significance of the hazooria, and why we should wear it.

5 Kakaars are the bare minimum and are not the full extent of Khalsa uniform. A hazooria is part of Khalsa uniform. It can be white or blue and past the waist in length. In Mehta Chownk (a Sikh education centre renowned for teaching how to read and understand Gurbani), all singhs have to have a hazooria to enter mahaaraaj's hazoori (Guru jee's presence).

It is part of the tradition of panj kapare (five garments), comprising dastaar (turban), hazooria, long chola (dress), kamar-kasaa (material tied around the waist like a belt) and kachheraa (under-garment). Reference to this has been made by Bhai Gurdaas Jee as well.

A hazooria is a sign of humility and that's why when doing ardaas it's grasped. It is a constant reminder of surrendering your mind to your Guru, along with your punj kakaar. A Hazooria is very practicle. It helps you keep succhamta (cleanliness) when during seva or reading bani. If you want to keep your hands clean when scratching face or picking up something, you can use your hazooria.

Hazooria is usually worn by servants as they serve their master. For Sikhs, it similarly symbolizes servitude to the One and Only One True Master - Akaal Purakh and Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

While the kamar-kassaa (material tied around waist like a belt) symbolizes the readiness of a Sikh to do some active seva, or jump into battle the Hazooria is mark of a Sikh's readiness to serve Guruji.


http://mrkhalsa.blogspot.com/2006/02/significance-of-hajooria-hazooria.html

Photos from Bhaji Kamal Singh's Birthday

On 14th February (Valentine's Day) it was Bhaji Kamal Singh's birthday (from Wolverhampton). Bhaji didn't have the traditional Valentine's candle-lit dinner or box of chocolates, instead his friends in Birmingham celebrated his birthday in traditional Midlands style (by now everyone should have guessed what that means! - if not then please check out previous birthday posts).



Sat Naam. Nice pic of Bhaji Kamal Singh (reminds me of pics of Kirtani on the frontcover of tapes and CDs).


Bhaji thinking "Err... what do I do with this?"


He realises its his B'day card!


Waheguru. Erm looks more like a Valentine's Card than a B'day card!


Tasty looking (eggless!) birthday cake. Is that a light at the bottom of the cake?


"Friendly" looking birthday guests. (They look more like bouncers at the door!)


Bhaji opening his presents. (The presents are nicely wrapped!)


More pictures of friendly looks Singhs and bhenji. Looks like they are waiting for a fight. Rab Rakha!


Camera Shock. Bhaji opening more presents.


Nice arm-pads for Gatka.


A belt (kamar-kassa) to go with the arm-pads.


Opening more presents. Luck bhaji!


Waheguru. Nice Kesri (saffron) colour pagh and a Mala (rosary beads). I can guess now why they call bhaji "Sant ji".


Rab Bhalla Kare! I don't know what Pardip Singh (aka Dhadi Master jee) is doing wielding a sharp knife. He might be anti-Sant or something or threatening bhai sahib to listen to his Dhadi lecturer or else.


People watching the tamaashaa (ਤਮਾਸ਼ਾ). lol.


Good old force feeding cake by Charan-Kamal Singh bhaji. Bechaare Kamal Singh!

Nice End to Busy Weekend :)

Waheguru. Last Friday I went to the library. I had to get some books out for an essay I had to write for today. It was 6pm. So I started to do Rehraas Sahib da Paath on the bus. Not many people on the bus so didn't get anyone stare at me.

I got to the library and EVENTUALLY found the books. Rab Jaane, the books were placed in odd places in the library. Some books were placed in rooms where no one hardly goes! Chalo, Rab Da Shukar I found the books and made my way back to halls. It was 8pm.

I am standing at the bus stop waiting for the 521 bus to London Bridge. Bus 21 from Ealing keeps coming every 3 minutes. Waheguru. I think to myself, "He Manna, O mind! Why isn't the 521 bus coming? There's seems to be a bus from Ealing every few minutes!" Chalo, I waited 35 minutes in the cold waiting for 521 bus. Then I thought to myself, I've been standing in the FREEZING COLD for a bus which is meant to show up every 5 minutes, but its been 35 minutes! I looked at the bus timetable! Sat Naam. "Bus 521 terminates at 7.15pm." O deary me! Been standing outside for nothing! Then it took 10 minutes for the other bus to arrive. So I stood standing for 45 minutes :(


Eventually got to London Bridge. I had to get off the bus at Bank station (Rab jaane where that is). The bus was PACKED. As I got off the bus there was a lot of people walking past the bus. My bag was full of my books and was quite heavy. The bag slipped off my shoulder and went BANG on the floor. Sat Naam, Waheguru. The Gore got bit of a shock and looked at me. Poor people probably thought it was something else which goes "bang". Waheguru. Chalo, the group of lads nearby ended up laughing (rather than getting scared) and made a joke how they thought it was something else going bang. Walked back to halls, which took 20 minutes.


Today I handed in my Philosophy essay, which was about the claim "human life is sacred" and the merit and demerits of making such a claim (in relation to homicide and sanctity of life). It's such a good feeling to hand in work and get it over done with (though I got more essays to do for 2 weeks time!).

Some Gurmukh Pyaare friends came over to my flat and had a good old get together. It was nice to relax and enjoy the company of Gursikhs and do Gurmat Vichaar. We ended up eating flap jacks and some potato waffles (which i cooked in my small mini-oven). I think I ate too many waffles! Chalo, Rab Rakha! We did some Keertan, simran and then we all together did Rehraas (recited one shabad each at a time). One word to describe it was "PEACEFUL." So much Shaanti (peace) in Baani and Simran. It's amazing. So I am feeling much better and it's a nice way to end a weekend and day overloaded with uni work and deadlines :)

Inspiring Quotes

"To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances;
To seek him, the greatest adventure;
To find him, the greatest human achievement."
Raphael Simon


"Be kind and merciful. Let no one ever come to you without coming away better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness."
Mother Teresa


"Beauty is God's handwriting."
Charles Kingsley

Episode 7 of India Travels: "As if Guru Jee will do anything..."

Day 13 of the trip, Tuesday 8th July 2003. My mum and I went back to Jalandhar to stay with my mum's Mama jee. I went to the local Gurdwara Sahib and met the "happy-chappy" Granthi Singh jee. After Rehraas, Keertan and Sukhaasan had happened, a few of us sat together and did Gurmat Vichaar (discussing Guru's teachings and shabads). The Granthi Singh narrated a story of his friend who lives in the other side of Jalandhar, serving as a Granthi Singh in a Gurdwara. It was awe-inspiring to hear the story. One word to explain the story is "WAHEGURU."

The Granthi Singh jee said that a few years back his friend came to see him. His right-hand arm had become paralysed. He went to went to all the doctors and no one could find out what is wrong with him. He become distraught as his livelihood was reading Paath, which became impossible without the right hand and arm functioning.

He confided in his friend, the Granthi Singh jee. The Granthi Singh jee told us that he asked his friend, "Have you done anything which triggered this? An accident? Were you using your arm for something etc?" His friend said he couldn't think of anything. Then his consciousness awakened and he shamefully said that his arm stopped functioning and became paralysed after the day they done Akhand Paath di sewa at someone's house.

His friend explained what happened. The Singh was invited to someone's house to do do an Akhand Paath. The family were rich business people. The Granthi Singh's friend was the main Paathi Singh (main person in charge of reading). The Paathi Singhs arrived at the house early in the morning (Amrit-vela) and did Guru Granth Sahib jee's prakaash. The AKhand Paath (the continuous non-stop reading of Guru Granth Sahib jee) began.

During the evening the man of the house told the Paathi Singh "When will the Bhog (conclusion) of the paath happen?" Bhai Sahib replied, "In 2 days time" (as an Akhand Paath usually takes the minimum of 48 hours. The Sikh Rehat Maryada states that the main thing is reading Paath clearly so that everyone can understand and take laahaa (benefit) of the Gurbani being read. For this reason there is no set time limit). The man replied, "That's not good enough. I have another function set up and family and friends are coming around. This will spoil my plans. The Paath SHOULD finish by tomorrow late-afternoon." "How is this possible?" replied the Paathi Singh. "I don't care - if you want the money then the bhog (conclusion of the Akhand Paath) WILL BE tomorrow." The man was very rude and intimidating, with little or no fear of Waheguru. (We see this many times when people make religion into a KARAM (mere act) rather than DHARAM (a way of life)).

ਕਰਮ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਰੀਰੁ ਕਲਿਜੁਗ ਵਿਚਿ ਜੇਹਾ ਕੋ ਬੀਜੇ ਤੇਹਾ ਕੋ ਖਾਏ ॥
karam Dhartee sareer kaljug vich jehaa ko beeje tehaa ko khaa-e.
The body is the field of action, in this Dark Age of Kali Yuga; as you plant, so shall you harvest.
(Ang 308)

The Paathi Singhs were not wealthy and relied on the money for feeding his family, and supporting his children's education. Under the pressures of Kaljug (darkness of the world) and lobh (greed), the Paathi Singh compromised Gurmat Maryada (the Guru's tradition) by violating the Akhand Paath. Late at night the Paathi Singh skipped a whole section of angs (respected word for pages) of Guru jee, in order to finish the Paath earlier than expected. The Bhog finished on the day the man wanted and the Paathi Singhs left with their money (which is their livelihood).

ਹਰਿ ਕਰਤਾ ਸਭੁ ਕਿਛੁ ਜਾਣਦਾ ਸਿਰਿ ਰੋਗ ਹਥੁ ਦੀਜੈ ॥
har kartaa sabh kichh jaandaa, sir rog hath deejai.
The Creator Lord Waheguru knows everything, although they may try to hide their sins and the causes of their diseases.
(Ang 450)

He said the next day I woke up and my arm was not moving. THE ARM HE USED TO SKIP GURU JEE'S ANGs AND VIOLATE THE AKHAND PAATH was the same arm which STOPPED WORKING. The Granthi Singh telling us the story said that he was 100% sure that this was an act of the Guru and that it was a consequence of his friend's act that he was paying the price. He advised his friend to do Ardaas in front of Guru jee to ask for forgiveness and with humility and devotion perform a Sehaj Paath (slow full reading of Guru Granth Sahib jee).

His friend did exactly what the Granthi Singh said. Half way reading Guru Granth Sahib jee, the Granthi Singh said that his friend could feel HALF OF HIS ARM (from his hand to his elbow). By the end of the Akhand Paath, reading Salokh Mehla 9, his friend gained FULL SENSATION in his arm from hand to shoulder.

It was truly amazing.

Afterwards we discussed in our small gathering at the Gurdwara how we think the Guru is a "Book" and we believe that the Guru will not do anything if we commit some wrong action or violate Gurmat Maryada. However, the Guru works in mysterious ways and we will all reap the consequences of our actions. The Granthi Singh said, "We may think that we can do as we like because there is no human form Guru with a stick (ਡੰਡਾ) in his hand to hit us with if we do something knowingly wrong. However, my Guru is All-Powerful and great. Guru Granth Sahib jee will also strike the clever person commiting wrong with their stick (ਡੰਡਾ). The only difference is that we cannot physically see this stick (ਡੰਡਾ)."

ਭਾਈ ਵੇਖਹੁ ਨਿਆਉ ਸਚੁ ਕਰਤੇ ਕਾ ਜੇਹਾ ਕੋਈ ਕਰੇ ਤੇਹਾ ਕੋਈ ਪਾਏ ॥
bhaa-ee vekh-hu ni-aa-o sach karte kaa, jehaa ko-ee kare tehaa ko-ee paa-e.
O Siblings of Destiny, behold the justice of the True Creator; as people act, so they are rewarded.
(Ang 308)

Episode 6 of India Travels: Funeral Akhand Paath Da Bhog

Day 11 of my trip. It’s Sunday 6^th July 2003. My mum and I went to visit family near Philaur. On that day there was an Akhand Paat da Bhog (conclusion of three-day reading of Sri Guru Granth Sahib jee) at the next door neighbour’s house. Their elderly grandmother, who was over 100 years old, had passed away.

People were sitting in the house and outside on the floor listening to the conclusion of the Paath. Guru Sahib’s Prakaash was inside one of the rooms. First of all we had Chaa Paani and ate few Pakoray etc. It was “help yourself style,” which I am not too keen on. However, I was assured that everyone is washing their hands and touching food. Fair enough, so I tuck into a few pakoray and one or two barfi pieces. Felt hungry so I am thinking of going back to get some more Pakoray.

Shock horror! An aunty who was sitting nearby and eating with her hands and putting her hand in her mouth went to get some Pakoray. Instead of asking someone to pour her some, she went straight for the bowl and shoved her hand RIGHT TO THE BOTTOM! She started lifted Pakoray from the bottom (probably thinking she didn’t want to eat Pakoray touched by other people’s dirty hands!!). I felt bit queasy and sick! Perhaps it’s a good way to keep off the calories (just watch how unhygienic things are and I am sure it will put you off having second helpings!)

Washed my hands and then we go to do matha tekh (bow down) to Guru Jee. I was shocked at what I saw. Sat Naam, Waheguru. Probably should say Waheguru few more times to get over the shock.


Where should I do Matha Tekh? Infront of Guru Sahib there were photos of the deceased elderly lady. So basically everyone who did Matha Tekh to Guru Sahib ended up doing Matha Tekh to these large photos of the elderly Mata jee who had passed away.

I couldn’t believe how the Amritdhari looking Paathis could allow such Manmat (contrary to Guru’s teachings) things to happen. Chalo, I walked to the side of Guru Sahib and did Matha Tekh rather than doing it from the front.


The programme finished and Guru Jee was carried with reverence back to the Gurdwara Sahib. Everyone then went to eat “Langar.” Well it wasn’t exactly Langar because it wasn’t cooked by the “Sikh Sangat” or “Saadh Sangat,” instead it was cooked by “Halwayee” or cooks. And it was served like a buffet style (again!).

I refused to eat "Langar" because I could felt uncomfortable eating. I told my cousins that I eat in steel plates and that there’s no “sucham” (hygiene) in buffet-style “Langar.” My cousins said, “Don’t worry! Amritdharis don’t eat there. You and the Granthi Singhs will be eating Daal Sabji straight from the pateelaa (cooking pot).” I was thinking to myself, “O mind! Am I hearing this correctly? There is separate langar for Amritdharis and separate langar with anyone who doesn’t mind eating in dirty plates and buffet-style “langar”.” I couldn’t believe it.

I told them that why don’t you give everyone steel plates and why don’t you make everyone sit on floor and do sewa of sangat by distributing langar. They agreed that there is no hygiene and that it is contrary to Gurmat tradition. However, their excuse was “this is how everyone does it in India.”


Had my langar and went on the look out to find the Granthi Singh incharge so I could have a word with him about why there was a large picture of deceased elderly lady resting on Guru Granth Sahib jee. I found the Granthi. He was pleased to see a Singh from abroad. When asking him about the photo he said, “Yes it is Manmat and totally wrong. It should not be there and is considered “Bipran Kee Reet” (contrary to Gurmat).”

If we read, listen and contemplate then we learn many inspiring and deep things in our Nitnem (daily prayers). People say "Why do Nitnem?" For me Nitnem is a Sikh's "daily inspiration," which every day links us back to our Guru and helps to tune our mind to Gurmat (the Guru's teachings). Every morning we read in Tva Prasaad Svaiye (early-morning Nitnem prayer composed by Guru Gobind Singh jee):

ਕੋਉ ਬੁਤਾਨ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਤ ਹੈ ਪਸੁ ਕੋਉ ਮਿ੍ਰਤਾਨ ਕੋ ਪੂਜਨ ਧਾਇਓ ॥
ko-oo butaan ko poojat hai pas, ko-oo mritaan ko poojan dhaa-i-o||
Some fool worships the idols and someone goes to worship the dead.

ਕੂਰ ਕਿ੍ਰਆ ਉਰਿਝਓ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਜਗ ਸੀ੍ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਕੋ ਭੇਦੁ ਨ ਪਾਇਓ ॥ ੧੦॥੩੦॥
koor kriaa urjhio sabh hee jag, sree bhagvaan ko bhed na paa-i-o||10||30||
The whole world is entangled in false rituals and has not known the secret of Lord-Waheguru. 10.30.

I asked the senior Granthi Singh, “Why did you not remove the photo?” “We didn’t notice the photo. We only noticed the picture today,” he replied. Sorry, but that had to be a porkie (a lie). Firstly how can someone do Paath for THREE DAYS at someone’s house and not notice a HUGE picture lying directly where one does Matha Tekh (unless you do Matha Tekh with eyes closed and keep eyes closed when doing Paath!). Secondly, there were 5 Singhs! So did none of the 5 Singhs notice the huge photos of Mata jee right infront of Guru jee?

He then said, “Well actually the family wanted the photo there. We couldn’t tell them not to put it there and go against their wishes in such circumstances like a funeral.” Rab Bhalla Kare!

ਇਹੁ ਕੁਟੰਬੁ ਸਭੁ ਜੀਅ ਕੇ ਬੰਧਨ ਭਾਈ ਭਰਮਿ ਭੁਲਾ ਸੈਂਸਾਰਾ ॥
ehu kuttamb sabh jee-a ke banDhan bhaa-ee bharam bhulaa saiNsaaraa.
All of these relatives are like chains upon the soul, O Siblings of Destiny; the world is deluded by doubt.

ਬਿਨੁ ਗੁਰ ਬੰਧਨ ਟੂਟਹਿ ਨਾਹੀ ਗੁਰਮੁਖਿ ਮੋਖ ਦੁਆਰਾ ॥
bin gur banDhan tootteh naahee gurmukh mokh du-aaraa.
Without the Guru, the chains cannot be broken; the Gurmukhs find the door of salvation.

ਕਰਮ ਕਰਹਿ ਗੁਰ ਸਬਦੁ ਨ ਪਛਾਣਹਿ ਮਰਿ ਜਨਮਹਿ ਵਾਰੋ ਵਾਰਾ ॥੨॥
karam karahi gur shabad na pachhaaneh mar janmeh vaaro vaaraa. ||2||
One who performs rituals without realizing the Word of the Guru's Shabad, shall die and be reborn, again and again. ||2||
(Ang 601)

Valentine's Poem

Two years ago, on Valentine's day I went to Southall (nothing new there - I mean going to Southall). I did my usual Gurdwara Yatra (visit). Did darshan of Havelock Rd. Gurdwara, Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara (Aghani Sangat) then Park Avenue Gurdwara. In the evening Bhai Dya Singh Australia wale were doing keertan at Osborne Rd. Gurdwara. So from Park Avenue I went there. The programme finished late. Afterwards I made my way back to Halls of Residence (in Central London).

I didn't realise it was Valentine's Day. I sat on the tube and noticed LOADS OF PEOPLE (unusual for a Sunday night!). I felt queasy. Sat Naam, Waheguru. As it was Valentine's Day people around me on the tube were acting lovey duvey. Sat Naam. I just kept my head down and did Simran. Everywhere where I looked people and more people - eating one another's face off. Waheguru Bhalla Kare.


Chalo, I got back to halls in one piece with Guru's Kirpa. In my room I reflected on the day. The keertan darbaar was beautiful and having darshan of so many Gurdwaras in one day was great. I started to think about what is Valentine's day... My thoughts led me to write a poem that day. The poem is below:

Valentine’s Day celebrates love.
Valentine’s Day is about showing your love.
Valentine’s Day involves sharing love.

Who do you love?
Who would you want show your love to?
Who do you wish to share your love with?

We all have love.
We can all show love.
We can all share love.


My Valentine’s would be the person who taught me about love.
My Valentine’s would be the person who showed me love.
My Valentine’s would be the person who I learnt to share love.

My Valentine’s Day is everyday.
My Valentine’s Day is the early hours before sunrise.
My Valentine’s Day is waking up to my Beloved.

My Valentine’s would be my Beloved Guru.
My Valentine’s would be my parents.
My Valentine’s would be my Dear Lord Creator.


The sign of love is willing to sacrifice all you have.
The sign of love is being graceful and forgiving.
The sign of love is being side by side forever.

Guru Gobind Singh Ji sacrificed his mother, father, four sons, and all he had for me.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji showered His grace on me and gave me the gift of Amrit.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji is always with me in the Divine form of the Shabad.

ਸੁਖੀ ਬਸੈ ਮੋਰੋ ਪਰਿਵਾਰਾ ॥ ਸੇਵਕ ਸਿੱਖ ਸਭੈ ਕਰਤਾਰਾ ॥ ੨ ॥
"May me family [the Sikhs] live happily, and may my Sikhs and disciple cross over to God."
(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Benti Chaupai)

A mother sacrifices her share of a meal just to see her child does not feel hungry
A father s acrifices his time and energy, to work hard bring his children up.
A mother will be forgiving and show grace to her child when he or she does something wrong.

Our parents teach us to walk, talk and eat.
Our parents hug us when we feel lonely and wipe our tears when we feel sad.
Our parents do so much for us and yet do not seek thanks or appreciation.

ਕਾਹੇ ਪੂਤ ਝਗਰਤ ਹਉ ਸੰਗਿ ਬਾਪ ॥ ਜਿਨ ਕੇ ਜਣੇ ਬਡੀਰੇ ਤੁਮ ਹਉ ਤਿਨ ਸਿਉ ਝਗਰਤ ਪਾਪ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ॥
"Why O son do you argue with your father? It is a sin to argue with him who gave you life and brought you up."
(Ang 1200)

The mother is the first one to offer companionship to her child from when the child is in her womb.
During hard times our parents stand side by side us.
When a child is sick or upset, our parents are still there to listen and offer a shoulder to cry on.

Vaheguru has given me the gift of a human body.
Vaheguru has given me the gift of the breathing.
Vaheguru has given me the gift of intellect.

Vaheguru can make me us from nothing to everything.
Vaheguru is a merciful judge who is neither harsh nor lenient.
Vaheguru bears no hatred; He listens and guides all those who ask with devotion.

ਸਾਚੁ ਕਹੋਂ ਸੁਨ ਲੇਹੁ ਸਭੈ ਜਿਨ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਕੀਓ ਤਿਨ ਹੀ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਪਾਇਓ ॥੯॥
"I tell the truth, listen everybody: those who love (Vaheguru) obtain the Dear Lord."
(Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Swaarag Swaiye)

Vaheguru is my mother, father, friend and companion.
Vaheguru is always with me, within me and beside me.
Vaheguru protects me when I am a weak, lifts me when I fall, and guides me when I can’t see.


Lets all prayer that may we love Vaheguru as much as He loves us.

Bhul chuk maaf.

Photos from Dastaar Tying Class

ਕਾਇਆ ਕਿਰਦਾਰ ਅਉਰਤ ਯਕੀਨਾ ॥

kaae-iaa kirdaar aurat yakeenaa.
O person of God! Let good deeds be your body, and faith your bride.

ਰੰਗ ਤਮਾਸੇ ਮਾਣਿ ਹਕੀਨਾ ॥
rang tamaashe maaN hakeenaa.
(Instead having enjoyment of ‘vikars', immoral deeds,) play and enjoy in Waheguru's love and delight.

ਨਾਪਾਕ ਪਾਕੁ ਕਰਿ ਹਦੂਰਿ ਹਦੀਸਾ ਸਾਬਤ ਸੂਰਤਿ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਸਿਰਾ ॥ 12 ॥
naapaak paak kar hadoor hadeesaa, saabat soorat dastaar siraa.12.
O person of God! Purify the mind what is impure (with bad thoughts) – this is the religious tradition (the true Hadith) through which you can experience the Lord's Presence. (Abandoning circumcision, mutilation and deferment of the body etc) preserve a complete appearance with a turban on your head – this becomes the way to maintain respect and honour. 12
(Maroo M:5, Ang 1084, SGGS)

Every Sunday 3.30-4.30pm there is a Dastaar (turban) tying class in the carpark hall of Singh Sabha Gurdwara, Park Ave., Southall. Below are a few photos of a 10year old Singh who has been practising how to do his Joora (tie a hair-knot), and tie a Keski (short under-turban) and Dastaar from last week's class:


Learning how to tie a Keski (under-turban).


Tying the Dastaar himself (with a few tips and guidance here and there).


Great to see the kids taking so much pride in their Dastaar and being so enthusiastic to learn how to tie a nice-looking Dastaar.


You can learn how to tie different Sikh turbans through step by step videos on SikhNet.com

About The Turban
The turban is our Guru's gift to us. It is how we crown ourselves as the Singhs and Kaurs who sit on the throne of commitment to our own higher consciousness. For men and women alike, this projective identity conveys royalty, grace, and uniqueness. It is a signal to others that we live in the image of Infinity and are dedicated to serving all. The turban doesn't represent anything except complete commitment. When you choose to stand out by tying your turban, you stand fearlessly as one single person standing out from six billion people. It is a most outstanding act.
http://www.sikhnet.com/s/WhyTurbans